Men in treatment for violence hold elastic view of consent
A study from Université de Montréal finds men in domestic violence treatment programs often stretch the definition of sexual consent within their relationships.
Study examines consent definitions
Researchers Etienne Garant and Tamsin Higgs published findings in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. They interviewed 29 men aged 23 to 65 receiving community-based treatment for intimate partner violence. Most participants condemned rape and agreed that both partners must agree to sex. However, their practical understanding of consent differed significantly from this theoretical agreement.
Perceived elasticity blurs boundaries
Some men viewed consent as flexible rather than a fixed decision made each time. They reasoned based on what they thought they knew about their partner's habits or gestures. One participant suggested waiting and asking again if a partner initially said no. This mindset treats the relationship itself as a form of permanent sexual consent.
Prevention needs broader focus
Garant and Higgs argue that interventions must address sexual well-being beyond simple consent messages. They note that sexuality is often reduced to intercourse and orgasm in these interviews. Prevention efforts should include emotional closeness and the ability to discuss desires openly. The researchers emphasize recognizing violence alongside these relational dynamics for better outcomes.
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